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Mayors Christmas Carols 2026 Melbourne Cup Luncheon George Calombaris Masterclass Minna Gilligan

The festive season is set to sparkle as City of Gold Coast’s Mayor’s Christmas Carols returns to HOTA, Home of the Arts, for its 15th year! Join us for two magical nights of live entertainment, family fun and Christmas cheer on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November. Leading this year’s stellar line-up is ARIA Award-winning singer Samantha Jade, joined by powerhouse DJ Havana Brown! There’s plenty to delight the whole family, with performances from The Royal Navy Band Queensland, Warner Bros. Movie World’s Looney Tunes Christmas Show and, of course, a special visit from Santa himself. Free tickets for the HOTA Outdoor Stage are limited and will be released at 9am Monday 26 October and 6pm Tuesday 27 October. Missed out on a ticket? You can still be part of the magic! Pack your picnic blanket for the HOTA Parklands and enjoy a family-friendly screening of the event on the big screens, delicious food truck treats and free Ferris wheel rides for the whole family, all from 4pm - no tickets required. Hosted by 7NEWS' Amanda Abate and Chris Parsons, the main show runs from 6pm to 8:30pm, culminating in a spectacular fireworks finale. Gates open at 4pm, so arrive early to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Auslan interpreters will be on hand to help make the event an inclusive and welcoming experience for everyone. City of Gold Coast’s Mayor’s Christmas Carols are supported by 7NEWS, HOTA, Home of the Arts, and Village Roadshow Theme Parks. For more information, visit www.whatsongoldcoast.au/mayorscarols ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION City of Gold Coast’s Mayor’s Christmas Carols is a popular and sought after event. Ticket allocations are limited based on venue capacity and are expected to be exhausted soon after becoming available. Two performances are on offer this year, and on-sale allocations have been divided into two available on-sale timeslots for equitable access. To allow access for more of the community, please only redeem tickets you intend on using, and if you no longer require your tickets or can’t make it, please contact the HOTA Box Office so that other families can take up this offer. There is a limit of 6 tickets per transaction. For those unsuccessful in getting tickets, the HOTA Parklands and Lake will be activated as an overflow event site with a live broadcast of the Mayor’s Christmas Carols on the big screen, food trucks, activities, and plenty of space for everyone. Additional ticketing information and conditions; o All tickets are General Admission o Limit of 6 tickets per transaction o Children 3 years and under do not require a ticket o First Release of tickets is Monday 26 October 9.00am o Second Release of tickets is Tuesday 27 October 6.00pm o Tickets are available until allocation is exhausted o Ticket holders for the outdoor stage are encouraged to arrive early and before 5.00pm to ensure access to the venue. Access to the outdoor stage event site will only be granted if space and capacity limits permit. Once capacity limits for the outdoor stage have been reached, guests will be invited to move to the overflow event site in the HOTA Parklands to watch the live broadcast. o The Outdoor Stage event site includes entry terms and conditions, to view prohibited items and frequently asked questions, please visit: https://hota.com.au/faqs/event-mode-faqs#chill-out-mode o The HOTA Parklands is a free non-ticketed event – You do not require a ticket for this area o The HOTA Parklands is an alcohol-free area o The performance on Saturday 28 November will be filmed for television broadcast on the 7 Network. By accepting your tickets and entering the site, you consent to being filmed and may be included in the broadcast.

FAMILY

Sat 31 Oct - Sun 1 Nov

Gold Coast Greek Festival

OPA! A brand-new Greek festival is coming to the Gold Coast bringing two big days of Greek food, music, dancing and filoxenia, the warmth of Greek hospitality, to the parklands of HOTA, Home of the Arts. From authentic Greek family recipes, loukoumades and baklava to live music, traditional dancing, cooking demonstrations, Zorba and dance workshops, plate smashing, backgammon and a spectacular Saturday night fireworks finale, there’s something for everyone. Gather your family, round up your friends and settle in for a weekend of sunshine, delicious food, dancing and plenty of OPA! as we celebrate Greek culture on the Gold Coast once again. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sat 31 Oct: 12pm - 10pm Sun 1 Nov: 11am - 4pm - Children 13 Years and Under Free (Must have a valid Child Ticket) - Children 3 Years and Under Free (Do not require a ticket)

FESTIVALS & SERIES

Fri 18 Dec

Christmas Comedy Gala

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year… until someone burns the turkey, the office party gets weird or Mariah Carey songs get stuck in your head. Escape the festive frenzy for the Christmas Comedy Gala featuring 6 sensational comedians, 1 brave host, 2 hours of side splitting stand-up and a partridge in a pear tree. Featuring, Becky Lucas, Rhys Nicholson, Dave Thornton, Geraldine Hickey, Peter James and Dusty Rich, all wrapped up in a bow with your host, Emma Holland, bringing the festive funnies. Expect big laughs, questionable life choices and jokes that sleigh (Christmas pun intended). Whether you’re celebrating the birth of a baby in a manger, procrastinating on your Christmas shopping or avoiding your in-laws, this is the funniest way to wrap up the year. Don’t be a grinch, just come laugh your baubles off.

COMEDY

Thu 17 Dec

The Greatest Christmas Show

The Greatest Christmas Show returns in 2026, bigger and better than ever. Australia's #1 family Christmas event is back, and it has never shone brighter. New acts, new magic, new carols and a grand appearance from Santa Claus himself that will fill the whole theatre with wonder. Our world-class cast of dancers, aerialists, singers and our illusionist brings the season to life in the most spectacular way. Beloved carols and joyful new favourites fill the room, breathtaking illusions leave you wondering if Christmas magic might just be real and glittering costumes and soaring aerial feats turn every moment into something to remember. From the laughter and the gasps to the tender moments that capture what Christmas truly means, this is a night that will warm hearts, inspire smiles, and create cherished memories for the whole family. 🎟 Don't miss the magic. Don't miss the laughter. Don't miss the #1 family show this Christmas. Warnings: Haze and smoke may be used during this performance Strobe may be used during this performance Suitable for all ages

FAMILY

Fri 4 Dec

Ministry of Sound Summer Dance Festival

Ministry of Sound returns to HOTA with our biggest-ever Gold Coast show! Ministry of Sound Summer Dance Festival has a new summer date, three stages and and extended festival footprint spreading through the surrounding parklands around the lake of the HOTA Precinct. Headlined by CLASSICAL, performed live by the Ministry of Sound Orchestra, supported by global dance music icons Roger Sanchez (USA), Seb Fontaine (UK), Braxe + Falcon (FR), Utah Saints (UK), K-Klass (UK), DJ Paulette (UK), plus Australian favourites John Course, Minx, Tenzin, and a stacked lineup of homegrown talent. Experience an open-air dancefloor, soundtracked by the biggest dance anthems of all time. Redefined, reworked and reimagined on a scale like never before. Summer Dance Festival is a celebration of the greatest moments in dance music history and the artists who helped define our dancefloor. Returning to our much-loved home at HOTA, Home of the Arts, like you’ve never seen it before. Due to overwhelming demand, we’re expanding the site, transforming the entire precinct into a multi-stage day-to-night festival, complete with three stages of music, top tier production, a Silent Disco, curated bars, premium food offerings and the biggest dance anthems of all time. All nestled amongst the lush parklands and waterways of the HOTA Precinct with the iconic Surfers Paradise skyline as your backdrop. Take your festival experience to the next level with our unbeatable VIP offering. Our most luxurious ticket experience includes two complimentary drinks on arrival, express VIP entry, access to the elevated viewing deck at the rear of the main stage, plus VIP Village access at the Golden Stage. Enjoy exclusive bars, dedicated food vendors, private bathrooms, shaded seating, and a commemorative tour laminate! Prefer to be amongst the action? Why not upgrade your experience with Premium Admission, with express entry, bar lines and bathrooms - leaving more time for those unmissable moments on the dancefloor! This is your ultimate summer dance event.

MUSIC

Sat 23 Jan

An Evening with Lee Asher

What happens when you give an animal a second chance? For Lee Asher, the answer changed his life. The founder of The Asher House, an animal sanctuary in Oregon, Lee has rescued more than 1,000 dogs since 2020. Along the way, his candid stories and infectious love for his pack have won him a global following. Now Lee comes to Australia to share the remarkable animals and unexpected moments behind his rescue journey. From the dogs who challenged him to those who helped him find his purpose, he explores what it takes to keep showing up for animals in need, and what they can teach us about resilience, connection and starting again. Warm, funny and deeply personal, An Evening with Lee Asher is for anyone who has ever loved an animal and felt that love returned. Join Lee for a night of stories, heart and hope.

TALKS & IDEAS